Quotation Saturday

John 13: 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another

I chose hateful because I see so many filled with hate that I have to wonder where their mind is and just what fills them. God would never fill the human mind with hate.

HATEFUL

“Why, God? You made man in your own image. Why then do so many lack good sense? And why is that we are so easily drawn to hate and kill each other? Why, God?”
~ Richard Puz, The Carolinian

“Lack of communication has a way of clipping our wings, which keeps us from flying. When things are left unspoken, we forget that everyone is destined to share the sky together.”
~ Shannon L. Alder

“Evil is not just a theory of paradox, but an actual entity that exists only for itself. From its ether of manifestation that is garlanded in perpetual darkness, it not only influences and seeks the ruination and destruction of everything that resides in our universe, but rushes to embrace its own oblivion as well.
To accomplish this, however, it must hide within the shroud of lies and deceit it spins to manipulate the weak-minded as well as those who choose to ally themselves with it for their own personal gain. For evil must rely on the self-serving interests of the arrogant, the lustful, the power-hungry, the hateful, and the greedy to feed and proliferate. This then becomes the condition of evil’s existence: the baneful ideologies of those who wantonly chose to ignore the needs and rights of others, inducing oppression, fear, pain, and even death throughout the cosmos. And by these means, evil seeks to supplant the balance of the universe with its perverse nature.
And once all that was good has been extinguished by corruption or annihilation, evil will then turn upon and consume what remains: particularly its immoral servants who have assisted its purpose so well … along with itself. And within that terrible instant of unimaginable exploding quantum fury, it will burn brighter than a trillion galaxies to herald its moment of ultimate triumph. But a moment is all that it shall be. And a micro-second later when the last amber burns and flickers out to the demise of dissolving ash, evil will leave its legacy of a totally devoid universe as its everlasting monument to eternal death.”
~ Adam Turquine - from sequel to Beyond Mars Crimson Fleet

Rom. 1: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

I chose grateful because it is to Him I am grateful that He fills my mind and spirit with so much love for all of humanity. Even things I don’t like, I still find LOVE and am grateful for that.

GRATEFUL

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.”
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Embracing an attitude of gratitude is nourishing to the soul. When we allow ourselves to be engulfed in gratitude, this abundant soul nourishment overflows to your relationships, careers, and day to day lives. Act in gratitude today… If you are grateful to those you love, show them. If you are grateful to those who have helped you, show them. If you are grateful to your creator, to your family, to your friends, and you want it to be known, let it be shown!”
~ Steve Maraboli

“Keep thinking positive & being grateful! When we think POSITIVE & being GRATEFUL, good things happens to us. Positive thinking can do so much for us. From relieving stress to bringing joy & abundance, it seems to make our lives better. Unfortunately it can be quite a challenge & can't keep up with those good thoughts going. However, we can do a few things to develop the habit of positive thinking. We can turn negative thoughts around & practice reversing them. Plus, when we focus on being grateful, we feel abundant, happy & fulfilled. We start to think, “Hey, things are pretty good after all.” Positive thinking & gratitude go hand in hand.”
~ Angie Karan Krezos

“The more grateful you are for everything good that comes into your life, the more closely you place your mind in contact with that power in life that can produce greater good.”
~ Christian D. Larson

I chose boundaries because we can’t pick and choose what we hate and love. There is a fine line somewhere, and we dare not cross it or we are feeding satan all the manure he expects from us. I choose God!

BOUNDARIES

“We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.”
~ Henry Cloud

“There is no boundary between heaven and earth unless we believe in one.”
~ Leland Dirks

“Man knows no boundaries. He can hate one religion, and embrace the other. He can support one person’s faith and despise another. He knows no boundaries between love and hate.”

~ Anonymous

“Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies; but the compelling force of all times has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit.”
~Ansel Adams

“So during those first moments of the day, which are yours and yours alone, you can circumvent these boundaries and concentrate fully on spiritual matters. And this gives you the opportunity to plan the time management of the entire day.”
~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

I'm Thankful!

Pss. 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 

***

I’m thankful….

I’m thankful for that one warm ray,

That shines on me to lighten my day.

I’m thankful for the dewy grass

That tickles my toes as I pass.

I’m thankful for the fragrant air,

That wafts on by without a care.

I’m thankful for the torrents of rain

That soaks my skin; releases my pain.

I’m thankful for the budding flower.

That blooms in glory, a scented shower.

I’m thankful for every timeless season,

new bark; new bough with endless reason.

I’m thankful for all the joyful bliss,

that graces my cheek as a gentle kiss.

I’m thankful for being allowed too touch,

that one lost soul whom needs so much.

I’m thankful for every little thing,

that has no worth, but smiles they bring.

I’m thankful for the minuscule,

for that is where my soul can rule.

I’m thankful for all my eyes can see,

breathless beauty from God to me.

I’m thankful for all of this and more,

The love of life, the chance to soar!

 

 

The Path

Pss. 16: 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The Path

The path is one I walk down

throughout the many seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

for many different reasons.

Trees they seem to shiver

sleeping through the cold

As life unveils  mysteries

daring to unfold.

Autumn carries whispers

of prayers through the breeze

I trek through the rubble

with God there I’m at ease

Then with undue warning

the snow sweeps right on in.

Blanketing my frigid soul

to show me where I’ve been.

The New Year thus progresses

to cradle a weary heart

I’ll strive to be the beacon

all Light will I impart.

Bursting blossoms come to life

the entrance of the Spring.

New hope I’ll give to one and all

through messages I bring.

I look back down the winding path

I’ve shared all Light with you

never letting darkness reign

on days you’ve struggled on through.

As the season changes

each one holds its own key.

The path is just a mirror

that I wish the world to see.

 

 

Poetry Sunday ~ Seasons in the Sand

Matt. 19: 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Seasons in the Sand

On wayward sand I stretch my hand

as frothy water flows

on the solid Rock I stand

relieved of passing woes.

The seasons of my mind are lit

with every wistful shower.

The Spirit’s here where I sit

to fill my every hour

The morning comes He breathes in me

the dawn of a new day.

He gives me sight so I can see

the path you went astray.

On wayward sand I stretch my hand

granules in my clutch

You’re taken by the wavy band

the grains you dare not touch.

Tis easier for the camel

to pass through the needles eye

Than you who’s merely mammal

to seek answers in the sky.

The seasons of my mind unfold

His Word for me to preach.

As ribbons of the Truth be told

like footprints on the beach.

 

 

Quotation Saturday

pic from A Word for Women (net)

Prov. 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

CHANGE

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
~ E.B. White

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
~ Apple Inc.

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.”
~ Maya Angelou

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.”
~ Bob Marley

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
~ Leo Tolstoy

COMPLAIN

“Does giving your piece of mind, bring a peace of mind? Or is it better to be silent and let the war inside subside?”
~ Anthony Liccione

“When you aren't satisfied with what has already been done, make something better. That is the greatest responsibility and the true freedom of creativity. The freedom is in that it doesn't need to complain.”
~ Criss Jami

“First and last step toward happiness: No demands and No complains.”
~ Vijay Dhameliya

“In complaining, people seek out others with equal complaints. Together they unite on THEIR truth and not THEE TRUTH. Makes for a darkened life.”

~ Joni

HAPPINESS

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”
~ Ernest Hemingway

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
~ Mother Teresa

TRUTH

“Words can be twisted into any shape. Promises can be made to lull the heart and seduce the soul. In the final analysis, words mean nothing. They are labels we give things in an effort to wrap our puny little brains around their underlying natures, when ninety-nine percent of the time the totality of the reality is an entirely different beast. The wisest man is the silent one. Examine his actions. Judge him by them.”
~ Karen Marie Moning

“Mistakes are, after all, the foundations of truth, and if a man does not know what a thing is, it is at least an increase in knowledge if he knows what it is not. ”
~ C.G. Jung

What people value in their books—and thus what they count as literature—really tells you more about them than it does about the book.”
~ Brent Weeks

“The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with joy are goodness, beauty, and truth.”
~ Albert Einstein

THANKFUL

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

~KJB

“I've started to look at life differently. When you're thanking God for every little you - every meal, every time you wake up, every time you take a sip of water - you can't help but be more thankful for life itself, for the unlikely and miraculous fact that you exist at all.”
~ A.J. Jacobs

“Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else's fairy tale.”
~ Wale Ayeni

“I am thankful when I am hungry because then I know that when I eat, the food will taste better. Life has taught me that my true contentment rests in hope, and the pleasure itself is secondary. It is self-awareness, not happiness, that maintains peace.”
~ Criss Jami

Spirit-filled

Pic from the internet

Ex. 35: 31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

Spirit-filled

I rise in the morning

stretch my aching limbs

Thank the Lord for this day

I hum my praising hymns.

Throughout the day I’m spirit-filled

that no one can define

The Holy Spirit in my life

who’s freely yours and mine.

I see them wander here and there

they pick and choose their lot

Forgetting that our Savior

picks and chooses not.

How do you spread darkness

in a world of given Light?

Why spew forth enmity

to feed the dark ones fight?

Their eyes digress from Spirit

to fill the world with hate.

They think they can divide the two;

Hell from Heavens gate.

The two don’t reign together

all choices are free willed.

I choose to spread the Word of Light

For that I’m Spirit-filled!

Pss. 71: 8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

All Hail to the Great I Am

Rev. 22: 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

All hail to the Great I Am

I hear the laughs and whispers

I see the broken land

I feel the murmurs rising

All hail to the Great I Am

All hail! All hail!

All hail to the great I Am

He is my Lord and Savior

All hail to the great I Am!

Great was the earthquake

Stars fell with a slam.

Mountains shook and trembled

All hail to the Great I Am!

All hail! All hail!

All hail to the great I Am

He is my King and Comforter

All hail to the great I Am!

The day of wrath has come

All fear the risen Lamb.

Will you be there to stand

All hail to the great I Am!

All hail! All Hail!

All hail to great I Am!

He is the Alpha Omega!

All hail to the great I AM!

Mercy

Jude 1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Mercy on our Souls

What can I do for you today?

I ask the Lord, to Him I pray.

All glory to God in all ways,

Seconds count in these last days.

“Share the Light and LOVE of me

Shine for all the world to see.

Mercy is within your reach

My Word is for all to teach.

Do not spread the rumor of hate

Bow to me, don’t make me wait.

As you play in idle distraction

Your eyes on me loses traction

Slowly you will slip and fall

And turn to me; it’s whom you’ll call.

I’ll be here to wipe you clean.

It’s what I do and all you’ve seen.

I granted you a precious gift

To spread the Truth so spirits lift.

The enemy knocks on a barren door

To him your eyes swell evermore.

I tell of this so you make haste,

On him no time should you waste.

Look to me in all ways

Seconds count in these last days!"

Oh Praise Him

Oh praise Him

Pss 50: 23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Praise, praise the Father praise the Son

Praise, praise to Him the holy one

We should praise Him

Always praise him.

There in the darkness I feel small

To the king my Savior do I call

I shall praise Him

Always praise Him.

Sing in the morning praise the Lord

Triumphant angels in accord

We all praise Him

Always praise Him.

We turn to Him when we’re in need

He answers us within Godspeed

Now we praise Him

Always praise Him.

Praise, praise the Father praise the Son

Praise, praise to Him the three in one

We should praise Him

Always praise him.

Alleluia

Alleluia

Alle-u-ia!

Pss. 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

I Bow to Him

Ps. 31: 2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

 I Bow to Him

I bow my knee; I sing praise

To you my God for glorious days.

Is it just me or is it them

I bow my knee to the Great I AM!

I bow my knee; I sing praise

The God of All lightens my ways.

I have seen and I have heard

I bow my knee to His holy Word.

I bow my knee; I sing praise

The Rock in me shines through the haze.

I know He sees; always hears

I bow my knee through the tears.

I bow my knee; I sing praise

It is to Him my hands I raise.

Always near; never far

I bow to Him, my Shining Star.

Feel the Power

Luke 4: 32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Feel the Power

Have you ever felt a loneliness

creeping up inside?

Have you ever woke on Christmas morn

wishing you could hide?

Have you ever looked around and thought

this is just not me.

I cannot feel my limbs right now

this chasm cannot be!

I want to raise my hands in praise

rejoice in His name.

I want to feel alive again

will I ever be the same?

His love is washing over me;

have you ever felt this way?

One moment you feel down and out

and then begin to pray.

Then it happens all at once

you stand and walk with Him.

Life is not so lonely

The Sonshine never dim.

 

AMEN!

Poetry ~ A Window to my Soul

The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and
beginning the work of becoming yourself. ~ Anna Quindlen

I hope I don’t come off as standing on a pedestal because truly that is not my intention. My intention is for you to see through the window, the real me. Nothing fake or artificial about me, I am me. I am a sinner among you, just as we all are. I strive daily to live an upstanding and morally grounded life and poetry has kept me grounded all of my life.

When I cry, I write. When I’m pained I turn to the pen. When I’m ecstatic about life, I rejoice and share with anyone who will listen. With the blog change has come many epiphanies.

Poetry is music to my soul, melody to my heart, a rhythm to my being! It keeps me sane in an insane world! If I inundate you with poetry, know that you are looking in the window of my soul.

~ Music Divine ~

Divine is the dancing pirouette of sound.
Bathing in the luminosity of space.
A bastion of baubles blazing boldly.
Rhythm masking in the ticker-tape of time.
Reverberating in reverent chime.
Compliant to the composer of conceit.
Fastidious to the feasible feast.
Notorious notes nourish in sync.
Melody meets a measure combine...
Divine is the dancing ~~ pirouette of sound!

copyright ©Joni Zipp

Mystical Waterfall

Job 10: 12 Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

Mystical Waterfall

Walking to the waters crest

the sound of a spraying shower.

There amid the foliage guest

belies a hidden bower.

Mightily the water runs amid

this cove that I have found.

The moistened place no longer hid

with its forceful rushing sound.

My clothes I peel and lay aside

to wade this peaceful setting

I now become the water's bride

the fall my face is wetting.

My head tilts back just a bit

cascading water flows.

In this brimming abode I sit

away from worldly woes.

Serenity has a hold on me,

may its presence never cease.

Here alone to freely be

one with intimate peace.

Change

2 Cor. 3: 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Change is washing over me. I feel as if I’m standing under a waterfall and the Light shining in every drop of water is infusing into my spirit, changing me. I’ve been through these instances in my life many times, as you can imagine, but this one is stronger and the water more forceful.

Much of it began ten years ago when I took the leap and left all my belongings behind, my past was left there and I rarely look back.  Then Grace happened in the following years. Not only the Grace of God (through Roundgrove UCC) but Grace Church happened. Adam was an instrument used by God to get us to attend this church and our lives have been in a spiral of change ever since.

Then a few weeks ago I felt as if something was missing in my life. I was feeling unuseful, for lack of a better word. I was feeling like I was just here going through the motions of life and not really taking any steps to change. Then the step happened, physically and spiritually, and then it was all climbing uphill, one step at a time. I prayed, as usual. My prayer? Make use of me.

We were at church a few weeks ago and our pastor informed all of us that there was an Efree website set up where all of us members could be in contact with each other, tidbits about the happenings at the church, post prayer request, or offer to pray for someone.

Thus began a moment of change. I had joined a prayer group on Facebook quite a few months ago (5 or 6), asked to join by a sister in Christ. I leaped at the chance to be able to bow my head in prayer and lift people up through Christ while doing so. I take prayer very serious, as I know that mere words are not enough. Prayer is the healing medicine that the Lord rains on individuals. I’ve experienced the healing so I know of a prayers worth.

1 Kgs. 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

Prayer is more than a word. When the church offered us the chance to be Prayer Warriors for our body of believers, I felt like God was answering my prayer. I now felt useful, maybe not in a physical sense, but He was using me spiritually to pray for people in need.

2 Chron. 6:40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

That was my binding decision in changing my blog name. With the old name, I didn’t feel I was being true to myself and to God’s intention for my life. One step, one change, and thus the flowing of water began.

Do you ever feel like you’re in a rut? Same ol’ same ol’ and nothing is happening? You’ve asked for prayer but just don’t feel like they’re being answered? Have you tried changing something spiritually about yourself? No? Then this is why you feel nothing is working. You need to be open to spiritual change, drastic change, to EVER feel the rushing water flowing over your entire being.

Try it. Get back to me and let me know how it worked out for you.

This from another friend about my writing of the poem, ‘Free’: “Such a beautiful witness, Joni. I'm humbled that I could've somehow provided a bit of inspiration for you to pen this testimony to your salvation! God bless you.”

I do believe I’m finally doing what the Lord intended.

 

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joni's Muse

“Some people choose to spread the darkness in hopes to shed light. Only in spreading Light can darkness be shed!” ~ joni

I feel like I’ve gone and dived into the reflecting pool. It is full of shimmering light, reflections from the Son.

Years ago I started this blog with every intention of helping me become a better writer and helping any writer become educated in the craft. I had felt that this is what God wanted me to do. He gave me the gift, so I felt it necessary to honor Him by helping writers by writing.

Boy was I ever wrong. Recently I’ve had a few God slap moments where God was trying to tell me something, but as a sinner and being human, I was misinterpreting. In hindsight, I apparently have been misinterpreting for years.

As we were driving to church yesterday, I had made a comment about my musically inclined friends. I said, As much as I love music and instruments I wonder why God never gave me the gift of playing an instrument?

*Whack* Slapped upside the head moment booming loud and clear He said, “I gave you the gift of poetry! Poetry IS the instrument you play to the SOUL!”

Rows and rows of harvested corn were fluttering passed my eyes and thoughts of the recent weeks came flooding my mind. What caused me to want to change this blog? What deep within me calling nearly forcibly had me change the entire years of work?

The past few weeks since the change over, I can look at a word or two and be inspired to write a poem. Not just any poem mind you, these poems have a rhythmic flow to them and when I read them I’m stirred inside as if singing praise songs to the Lord.

Also note that when I see words of hate or the bashing of something, it stirs in me hurt and angst! I’ve written many poems on pain and the angst I feel toward my fellow human beings, but seeing people hate this and hate that: “I’m against the Muslims”, “I hate this about the world!”, “I hate the president this and that and the other thing.”

Prov. 10: 29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Do they not realize something? God is the Creator. He created all this to see how we humans would respond! We preach the gospel one minute, then the very next minute spew hatred? Is that not dividing your faith? Turn the other cheek does not mean, turn it to which YOU choose to turn. We must turn the other cheek to all this chaos going on in the world. Be aware of it yes, but hate it? Isn’t that like hating God’s plan for this world and everything He has already planned?

Isa. 47: 11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know

That is where my quote came from: “Some people choose to spread the darkness in hopes to shed light. Only in spreading Light can darkness be shed!” ~ joni

People feel as though they are shedding light on dark matters, but they are really doing satan’s work and spreading the darkness even further into the psyche. They are hampering God’s plan. God’s plan, evident to ANY and ALL true Christians is this, LOVE! Spread love! Plain and simple but complicated to the blind.

I don’t like that hundreds die because of raging storms. I don’t like that a tsunami can wipe out an entire country and disable it. I don’t like that leaders feel they own the human race but is that going to cause me to spread the darkness with them? I don’t think so.

I think that God gave me a talent, a musical poetic talent. When I think to send my poetry to a publisher, I’m met with the fact that poetry, especially rhyming poetry, is a dying craft. Like a tsunami to the writing world, poetry is being led out to sea.

Heb. 10: 5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

God has made it abundantly clear that my gift is to touch people, change people, and help them to find comfort in a darkened world. (The new me), Through poetry and my muse, I am living and am awakened to God’s plan for my life. My soul has been changed these past couple of weeks and through the grace of God, I will share and do what God had intended for me from the very beginning. Your life will be severely altered when it is His will you follow and not your own self-guided self. (The old me)

A dear friend wrote: “ (Joni) I love everything you write. Most times it seems as if God is leading you with a message for me too or a mentoring tip, or something meant for me -- I know your writing is from your heart and God's, but He uses it to touch others too.” ~Tiggs

Amen!

Poetry Sunday ~ Free

Pss. 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Free…

I want to tell the story

of how I was set free.

One day I heard a quiet knock

the Lord said, “Look to me.”

I gazed upon a glorious sight

all thought of me insane.

I told of how my skin was bronzed

while standing in the rain.

The weather dark and dreary

how ever could that be

I told of how the Lord had come

and said please look to Me.

I stood before the Glory

there without a name.   

I felt the spirit within me lift

My soul He’d come to claim.

Although I fell to my knees

He gently lifted me

I raised my eyes toward Him

He said, “Child come to me.”

Forever changed by His love

all darkness turned to Light.

My God and all His glory

instilled in me new sight.

I have to share my story

of how I came to be.

My Lord, my King, my Savior

said, “Child you’re now set free!”

Pss. 54: 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.

Quotation Saturday

Pss. 100: 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

REFLECTION 

***

I chose REFLECTION because this is the time of the year I reflect on the year that has passed. Reflection is a good way to put things in perspective and get your priorities straight!

“Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.”
~ Jane Austen

“Sometimes, you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead.”
~ Yvonne Woon

“That’s sad. How plastic and artificial life has become. It gets harder and harder to find something…real.” Nin interlocked his fingers, and stretched out his arms. “Real love, real friends, real body parts…”
~ Jess C. Scott, The Other Side of Life

'Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, although these are things which cannot inspire envy.' "
~From "Logotherapy in a Nutshell", an essay -- Viktor E. Frankl
 

 THANKFUL

I chose thankful because I am thankful hourly, not only daily. Every hour something amazing happens and I have to thank the Lord! With my eyes continually on the Lord, my life is fruitful with many blessings. Yours is too, you just need to see!

The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
~ Anonymous, Holy Bible: King James Version, Heb. 12:29

“The reality of loving God is loving him like he's a Superhero who actually saved you from stuff rather than a Santa Claus who merely gave you some stuff.”
~ Criss Jami

“This path was not that of my conscious choosing. But after persistent subconscious confrontation, I have finally embraced what is, 'souly' for me...and I am thankful, when called upon, to be able to share and give to those who seek their own way of the path.”
~ T.F. Hodge

MUSE

I chose muse because it is with my muse that I see glorious beauty all around me. It fills me with words I must spill on the page in praise and love of my Lord! I’m thankful my muse spoke up and had me change to the true meaning of my blog – Joni’s Muse.

“There is no place for grief in a house which serves the Muse.”
~ Sappho

“This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.”
~ Steven Pressfield

“All of us need to be in touch with a mysterious, tantalizing source of inspiration that teases our sense of wonder and goads us on to life’s next adventure.”
~ Rob Brezsny

“I am thankful my muse allows me time for reflection and wondrous beauty of the world and blessed moments.” ~ Joni Zipp

Col. 3: 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.